What's new at NLHI

International cooperation for biotechnology development

In July, a three month collaborative pilot project was initiated at NLHI. The Immunology Institute of Japan agreed to send a senior scientist to NLHI to evaluate the potential of the multiplexed technology. The focus of the evaluation is rapid cytokine detection using flow cytometry. Dr. Kiyoshi Sekiguchi is working with us to determine the pratical sensitivity limits of a new instrument, dedicated to multiplexed technology, that will become commercially available.

The predictive value of immune function markers and salvage HIV therapy

In collaboration with the Basic Science and Vaccine Therapies Development Group of Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), NLHI is working on a project that is exploring the possible use of assays that measure phenotypic markers of immune function during salvage therapy. The project focuses on individuals on antiretroviral therapy that have already failed the traditional first line combination therapy for HIV.

Name change to NLHI's advisory committee

In early 1999, the Flow Advisory Committee (FAC) officially changed its name to the Immunology Advisory Committee (IAC). Within IAC are two sub-committees. These committees focus on two specialized issues - one related to technical concerns with respect to immunophenotyping and biosafety, and the other with the development of guidelines for the combined utilization of immunological and virological assays. The IAC works closely with the CTN to prioritize diagnostic tests for future NLHI evaluation - in particular, those with the potential for wide-scale application in CTN immunology laboratories. Diagnostic assays that can rapidly assess the immune status of individuals are currently a priority as they can assess the effectiveness of medication in arresting immunodeficiency, or in reconstituting the immune status of an HIV-infected individual.

New detection methods proposed for rapid containment of dangerous infectious agents deployed by bio-terrorists

The potential threat to individuals, government institutions, and farmers through the use of pathogenic agents by ecological, industrial, and political terrorists is currently a global concern. The effective early detection of such pathogens is another potential future application for flow cytometry, combined with multiplexed technology. The containment and monitoring of the spread of an infectious agent in Canada falls under CIDPC's mandate. Evaluation of the possible tools NLHI can develop to support rapid containment of bio-terrorism is under consideration. This is a field of laboratory-based forensic science where rapid identification of infectious/hazardous agents is essential. NLHI is currently discussing the possibility of sharing new biotechnologies, related to early detection of environmental and pathogenic hazards, with the appropriate agencies abroad.